Nathan and Mathias flew together toward the north side of Klown City. Their speed was swift, and they would reach the newly expanded wall in monts.
Suddenly, they heard continuous explosions behind them. Alard, they turned, ready for battle.
But when they saw who it was, they heaved a sigh of relief.
Nathan observed the way the beggar was flying and couldn't help but chuckle. You're wasting your Refined Qi doing that! Don't you have a proper flying technique? he asked through Thought Transfer, as the intense wind would make it hard to hear each other.
Sorry, I don't have one! You'll just have to deal with the noise! Apollo replied, tuning into the Qi frequency Nathan was projecting. He wasn't sure if his thod was exactly right, but it worked, and it was simple enough.
The beggar purposely caused explosions in the air behind him as if to say, This is how our journey's going to be.
Nathan's face twitched. You should learn a flying technique and stop being so annoying!
The techniques Apollo had studied on the fourth floor of the Great Serpent Library only included a water-based movent technique. They didn't have any principles to support flight as he was doing now. He could potentially revise and derive sothing new, but it would be a hassle, and he'd rather spend that ti cultivating or begging.
Don't bla ; I can't help it, Apollo shrugged, then turned to Mathias, who was looking ahead with a heavy expression. Do you know what happened?
We'll see, but it's starting. They're making their move, Mathias answered, his tone serious in their Thought Transfer.
It's obvious—the wall is probably complete by now, Apollo replied.
We're here, Nathan announced as the top of the wall ca into view. They landed where a man in heavy silver and gold armor was standing, holding binoculars.
At Apollo's explosive arrival, the guards turned toward the noise, weapons ready.
"Put your weapons down!" the North Guard Captain ordered his n.
The guards complied, though they likely would have done so regardless, recognizing the two newcors.
"Are you the newly appointed captain?" Mathias asked the armored man as he landed.
"Yes, Sir Mathias," the North Guard Captain replied.
"From Callum?" Nathan asked, stepping up beside Mathias.
"Yes," the Captain responded.
"Hey, did Klown tell you anything?" Apollo asked, stepping out from behind the two family heads, his small fra instantly drawing everyone's attention.
The Captain frowned at the "kid" who dared to address the mayor by his first na. "Who are you?" he asked in a cold, low voice.
"Answer his question," Mathias said.
The Captain looked at Mathias, noting his serious tone, and answered, "There's been no order from the mayor. In fact, we haven't heard anything from the mansion in the past few hours."
"Oh?" Apollo raised an eyebrow. "What about the other captains? Where are they?"
"Sa—no response. I've already sent n to look for them, but they couldn't be found." The Captain answered, now guessing that the "kid" wasn't ordinary. The fact that Mathias and Nathan, two powerful figures, allowed him to speak hinted at the situation.
By now, Nathan had taken a pair of binoculars. "Duskfangs—there are at least hundreds of them."
"What are they doing?" Apollo asked, glancing at the black mass in the distance.
"They're just on standby," Nathan replied. He handed the binoculars back and turned to Mathias. "What do you think? These n have clearly been abandoned."
"He's from the Callum family, and their family head is dead," Apollo said, glancing at the captain, who turned to him with a frown. "There must be no use for them anymore."
"What do you an? There's no way the Mayor would abandon us," the North Guard Captain replied.
"These guys don't know about it," Mathias said, walking toward the stone railing and squinting at the monsters in the distance. "They're waiting for sothing."
"I don't know what you're talking about," the Captain said, his expression grim, "but we have to stop these monsters. Sooner or later, they'll attack the city, and I'm not sure these walls can hold. What about the other Great Families? Are they going to help?"
With the other Guard Captains missing, the North Guard Captain felt the full weight of responsibility. He didn't know where they were, but he didn't like how things were unfolding.
"Help?" Nathan Kleinford chuckled. "Hah, those greedy, power-hungry fools will do anything to take advantage of the situation."
"And this situation is no exception," Mathias continued, turning to the Captain. "Hold out as best you can—help will co."
"That's good to hear," the Captain said, exhaling in relief.
They observed the distant threat for a while before Nathan, Mathias, and Apollo gathered together.
"I'll go," Apollo said. "It's ti."
"Are you sure you can handle it?" Nathan asked, eyeing Apollo skeptically. "I held back in our last spar. You'll face strong opponents in there. If I went up against the Seven alone, my chances would be slim."
The Seven—Apollo had learned about them from the others. Apparently, Klown had seven elite fighters in his service, hidden in the shadows and only called upon when the Mayor required. Each was at least at the 1st-Step Qi Condensation Stage, making them a mysterious and formidable group even Mathias didn't underestimate. Only the Headmaster and Family Heads knew of their existence.
"Hey, don't underestimate ," Apollo smirked. "I can be pretty annoying. All I have to do is hold them off, right?"
Nathan hesitated, then looked to Mathias.
"One of us has to stay and help hold these monsters back. Klown's smart—he wants to divide our forces. I suspect there are more monsters out there than we're currently seeing," Mathias said, looking at Nathan. "You'll stay here with the other Martial Schools."
"Fine by ," Nathan nodded.
They already had a plan, and although the monsters outside were unexpected, it was still within their capabilities.
"As for , I'll handle the Formations," Mathias said, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I'm the only one able to absorb the energy."
Apollo looked at the Helflick family head with admiration. He'd never dare do what Mathias was about to attempt. He valued his life too much to risk it a second ti.
It was a plan that relied on luck, with no guarantees it would work. They'd hesitated to proceed, knowing the Formations—requiring dozens of Array and Inscription Masters—were incredibly dangerous. But with confird demonic energy in the city and the dire consequences if Klown succeeded in his ritual, Mathias was resolute in going forward with the risky plan.
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